Results of combined medical and surgical treatment of recto-vaginal fistula in Crohn's disease.

AIM: Surgical repair of recto-vaginal fistula (RVF) in Crohn's disease (CD) has been associated with high rates of failure. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome in patients with CD who underwent RVF surgery with or without infliximab infusion. METHOD: A retrospective review was carried out of 51 consecutive patients with CD treated for a symptomatic RVF between March 1998 and December 2004. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (mean age 39 years) underwent 65 procedures, including seton drainage (n = 35), advancement flap (n = 8), fibrin glue injection (n = 8), transperineal repair (n = 6), collagen plug placement (n = 4) and bulbocavernosus flap (n = 4). All patients were on medical treatment at the time of surgery and 26 patients had received preoperative infliximab treatment (minimum of three infusions, 5 mg/kg). Ten patients underwent preoperative diversion. At a mean follow up of 38.6 months, 27 fistulas (53%) had healed and 24 (47%) had recurred. Fistula healing occurred in 60% of patients treated with preoperative diversion, whereas 51% of nondiverted repairs were successful. Neither active proctitis nor infliximab therapy significantly affected fistula healing. Fourteen (27%) patients eventually required proctectomy. CONCLUSION: RVF in CD is difficult to treat. Failure rates are significant despite repeated surgical interventions and concomitant medical treatment.

Tumor of the heart diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging.

A case of liposarcoma metastatic to the heart is presented. This is a very rare entity and only three prior case reports could be found. Magnetic resonance imaging was successfully used to visualize the tumor. These images compared favorably with a two-dimensional echocardiographic study and postmortem examination.

Villous adenomas of the rectum: the accuracy of clinical assessment.

To avoid an unnecessary radical operation, it is important for surgeons to identify a clinically benign villous tumor of the rectum, especially in the middle third area, where a transanal approach may not be feasible. If the high accuracy of this clinical impression can be achieved, alternative methods such as piecemeal snare excision, or electrocoagulation, or both are justified. To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a benign rectal villous tumor, 151 patients with totally excised rectal tumors were reviewed. All of these patients had soft and nonulcerated lesions and were judged to be benign. Induration and ulceration of the lesions signified malignancy and were excluded. One hundred and fourteen patients (76%) had benign villous adenomas, 23 patients (15%) had superficial carcinomas, and 14 patients (9%) had invasive carcinomas. Hence the accuracy of detecting a clinically benign villous tumor of the rectum was 91%. This is high enough to avoid a more radical procedure when the clinical impression is that of a benign villous tumor of the rectum.

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Patterns of failure.

During the period from 1980 through 1990, our institution constructed 253 ileoanal reservoirs in 253 patients, of whom 25 (9.9%) experienced pouch failure. A poor functional result was the most common cause of pouch failure (seven [28%] of 25 patients). Unsuspected Crohn's disease became manifest in 13 (5%) of the 253 patients, resulting in pouch loss due to perianal sepsis or pouch fistulas in six patients (24% of 25 failures), and resulted in a significantly increased risk of pouch failure compared with that of the non-Crohn's population. Pouchitis occurred in 78 patients (31%) and accounted for four (16%) of 25 failures, but patients with pouchitis were not at higher risk for pouch failure than were patients who did not have pouchitis (failure rates of 6.4% vs 10.4%, respectively; not significant). Significant pelvic sepsis in the absence of Crohn's disease developed in 13 patients, five (38%) of whom lost their pouches. Poor functional results, pelvic sepsis, and unsuspected Crohn's disease were the major causes of pouch failure, while pouchitis was not.

Palliation for rectal cancer. Resection? Anastomosis?

There is no agreement regarding the proper management of patients with advanced carcinoma of the rectum. We performed a study to clarify whether palliative resection with or without primary anastomosis is worthwhile and safe. Among 679 patients managed for cancer of the rectum, 125 were considered incurable and underwent palliative procedures. High and low anterior resections were performed in nine and 57 cases, respectively, abdominoperineal resection in 26, Hartmann's procedure in three, simple diverting colostomy in 17, and transanal excision in 13. The overall postoperative mortality rate was 0.8%. Postoperative morbidity was 18% in abdominal operations and none in local excisions. Among patients treated by abdominal resections, only one required subsequent reoperation for colonic obstruction secondary to local recurrence. The median survival was 6.4 months for patients treated by diverting colostomy, 14.8 months for abdominally resected cases, and 14.7 months for transanal excisions. We conclude that palliative resection, often with primary anastomosis or local transanal excision, can be done safely in patients with incurable rectal cancer. We believe this approach improves the quality of the remaining life for these patients.

The Hartmann procedure. First choice or last resort in diverticular disease?

OBJECTIVE: To critique changing trends in the surgical management of diverticular disease. DESIGN: Case series. Two hundred twenty-seven consecutive patients required surgery for diverticular disease from 1988 to 1993. Patient records were reviewed retrospectively. Operative procedures included primary resection in all patients with either anastomosis, anastomosis with proximal ileostomy, or the Hartmann procedure. Morbidity, mortality, and length of stay were then compared with each operative procedure and stage of disease. Patients were categorized according to the following pathologic stages: stage 0, no inflammation; stage I, chronic inflammation; stage II, acute inflammation with or without microabscesses; stage III, pericolonic or mesenteric abscess; stage IV, pelvic abscess; and stage V, purulent or feculent peritonitis. SETTING: A university hospital and private affiliated hospitals in a large metropolitan area. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Study outcome parameters included mortality, morbidity, length of hospital stay, and leak rates. These outcomes were then compared with different disease stages and treatments. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 66 years (range, 25-98 years). Male-female ratio was 84:143. Mean follow-up was 23 months (range, 1-132 months). There were 50 fistulas: 24 colovesical, 21 colovaginal, 3 colocolonic, 1 coloenteric, and 1 colouterine. Surgery was categorized as elective for 196 patients (86%), urgent for 12 (5%), and emergent for 19 (8%). Primary resection was performed in all cases. Primary anastomosis was performed in 200 patients (88%), 183 without and 17 with proximal diversion. Twenty-seven patients (12%) underwent a Hartmann procedure with colostomy; 19 patients (70%) have since undergone colostomy closure. Morbidity occurred in 52 patients (23%), including 4 anastomotic leaks (2%). There were 3 perioperative deaths (1%). Mean length of initial hospital stay was 11 days (range, 4-59 days). Length of stay was 5 days (range, 4-7 days) for ileostomy closure (7% morbidity) and 13 days (range, 7-35 days) for the colostomy closure after the Hartmann procedure (33% morbidity). CONCLUSIONS: Primary resection is virtually always possible in complicated diverticular disease. Primary anastomosis, with or without proximal diversion, is safe for patients with no abscesses or localized abscesses and should be considered on an individual basis for patients with pelvic abscesses and peritonitis. Colostomy closure after the Hartmann procedure is associated with significant length of hospitalization and morbidity and leaves one third of patients with permanent stomas.

Surgical management of left colon obstruction: the University of Minnesota experience.

BACKGROUND: Management of left-sided colonic obstruction is a surgical challenge. This study was performed to review our management of patients with left colon obstruction presenting to the University of Minnesota Hospitals over a 10-year period, 1985 to 1994. STUDY DESIGN: We did a retrospective chart review of 143 patients (48 male and 95 female; mean age 70 years). RESULTS: Sites of obstruction were rectosigmoid, 40%; sigmoid colon, 47%; descending colon, 5%; and splenic flexure, 8%. Fifty-two percent of patients had obstructing colorectal cancer. Two patients presented with generalized peritonitis secondary to colonic perforation. The majority (n = 121, 85%) of patients underwent resection (subtotal in 39 [32%], and segmental in 82 [68%]) and anastomosis in a single stage after appropriate resuscitation. Intraoperative colonic cleansing was undertaken in 40 patients (28%). Morbidity within 30 days of operation was 11%, including 1 anastomotic leak, and mortality was 3%. The 4 deaths occurred in patients over 75 years of age and were not from anastomotic complications. CONCLUSIONS: A single stage resection and an anastomosis facilitated by intraoperative colonic cleansing in one-third of cases was performed in 85% of patients presenting with left colon obstruction. One anastomotic leak occurred. Our current policy of strongly favoring a single stage, definitive operation for patients presenting with left colon obstruction appears reasonable on the basis of this retrospective review of our experience.

The ParkS S ileal pouch and anal anastomosis after colectomy and mucosal proctectomy.

Attention to detail is crucial to the success of the operation described. Surgeons contemplating performing it should first be experts in pelvic surgery and are advised to personally observe and participate in the procedure performed by surgeons currently experienced in this technique.

The ileoanal reservoir.

One hundred nine men and 71 women with a mean age of 31 years had construction of 164 S, 2 J, and 14 other ileoanal reservoirs. Postoperative gastrointestinal complications included small bowel obstruction in 11 percent and ileus, hemorrhage, and sepsis in 6 percent, 5 percent, and 11 percent, respectively. There was a 13 percent incidence of miscellaneous postoperative complications. Pouch perianal fistulas developed in 5 percent of patients, and pouch vaginal and other pouch fistulas developed in an additional 4 percent. During long-term follow-up, small bowel obstruction developed in 27 percent of patients, and enterolysis or enterectomy was required in 15 percent of patients. One hundred fourteen patients who were followed for a mean length of 5 years after ileostomy closure (range 16 to 88 months) were evaluated for functional outcome. Function improved with time in 63 percent of patients and remained stable in another 33 percent; only 4 percent had long-term deterioration. Ninety-five percent of patients would again choose an ileoanal reservoir over a permanent ileostomy. This long-term assessment shows that although the ileoanal reservoir is a viable option in the management of mucosal ulcerative colitis, it should not be recommended to every patient.

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal reservoir and ileoanal anastomosis.

An initial experience with a technique of restorative proctocolectomy utilizing a rectal mucosectomy, total colectomy, and ileal reservoir (Parks S-pouch) with ileoanal anastomosis for patients with ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis is presented. Although there were no deaths, significant morbidity did occur and was attributed to the use of a temporary loop ileostomy which may not be necessary. Early functional results are promising and to date, patient satisfaction is very high.

Modern management of hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids require therapy only when they cause symptoms. Early symptoms troubling the patient only occasionally are readily managed by dietary measures that increase the intake of fluids and fiber, such as bran, often supplemented by hydrophilic bulk-forming colloids, so that a bulky, soft stool is produced regularly. Rubber band ligation is the treatment of choice for small or moderate sized hemorrhoids with minimal prolapse, whether or not they bleed. Such bands should be applied to the mucosa at the anorectal junction and not directly to the hemorrhoidal tissue. Patients with large prolapsing or acutely thrombosed hemorrhoids are best managed by a closed type of hemorrhoidectomy. This technique is effective and safe and has great advantage with rapid healing and minimal postoperative care, which provides the patient with the maximum comfort. Complications are few and, in particular, anal stenosis or stricture is rare. Hemorrhoids occurring in association with other conditions require specific treatment only if they are responsible for symptoms in their own right, distinct from the associated condition. Other treatments discussed are effective but have particular disadvantages that make them unsuitable for routine use. Moreover, they offer no advances on the treatment regimens proposed.

Intra-operative endoscopy. University of Minnesota experience.

This review of intraoperative endoscopies was undertaken to identify the accepted and the controversial indications, to report the results and complications, and to determine the impact the procedure had on the operation performed. This retrospective review identified 78 patients who had undergone 82 intraoperative endoscopic exams between 1981 and 1987. Sixty-nine patients underwent intraoperative colonoscopy (84%), six had upper enteroscopy (7%), and seven had total gut endoscopy (9%). Indications were as follows: the inability to fully colonoscope preoperatively (29%), Crohn's disease (19%), malignant polypectomy site (12%), gastrointestinal bleeding (12%), routine screening to rule out synchronous lesions (12%), non palpable colonic lesions (11%), and miscellaneous (4%). Intraoperative endoscopy was successful in 89 per cent of patients. The exams provided information that altered the planned operation in 27 per cent of cases. There were four complications that may have been related to the endoscopic exams. All resolved without the need for further surgery. It is concluded that intraoperative endoscopy can greatly influence the operation performed in a significant percentage of cases. The clear cut indications for its use at this time are location of malignant polypectomy sites, adhesions or tortuous colon that prevents complete preoperative colonoscopy, chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, and location of non palpable bowel lesions. Controversial indications that we feel will prove useful include Crohn's disease and acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Intraoperative endoscopy is best used as an adjunct to preoperative endoscopy and not as a substitute for it.

Aortic dilatation resulting in chronic aortic regurgitation and complicated by aortic dissection in a patient with Turner's syndrome.

A patient with XO Turner's syndrome with a 12-year history of progressive aortic root dilatation resulting in chronic aortic regurgitation is presented. Her case is unique in that it occurred in the absence of coarctation of the aorta, bicuspid aortic valve, or hypertension. Idiopathic dilatation of the aorta may be an additional risk factor to the development of aortic dissection in the setting of Turner's syndrome.

Surgical options in ulcerative colitis.

Five operative options are now available for treatment of ulcerative colitis: (1) proctocolectomy with ileostomy, (2) abdominal colectomy with ileostomy and retention of the rectum, (3) abdominal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis, (4) proctocolectomy with creation of a continent stoma or conversion of a standard ileostomy after proctocolectomy to a continent stoma, and (5) restorative proctocolectomy. Each procedure has advantages and disadvantages. With careful assessment, the specific needs of each patient can best be met. In many cases a permanent stoma can be avoided. The newer procedures have not been used long enough for long-term effects to be known, and they must be offered with reservation and then only to well-informed, stable, and relatively fit and cooperative patients.

Complete Genome Sequence of the Deep-Sea Bacterium Psychromonas Strain CNPT3.

Members of the genus Psychromonas are commonly found in polar and deep-sea environments. Here we present the genome of Psychromonas strain CNPT3. Historically, it was the first bacterium shown to piezoregulate the composition of its membrane lipids and to have a higher growth rate at 57 megapascals (MPa) than at 0.1 MPa.